Wire Size for Earrings
Question:
I want to wirewrap small gemstones for earrings. What size wire would you use for 2mm, 4mm, 8mm, etc.? Do you use the same size for all?
I want to wirewrap small gemstones for earrings. What size wire would you use for 2mm, 4mm, 8mm, etc.? Do you use the same size for all?
Instructions
Answer:
To use very small stones like 2mm and 4mm, I recommend first setting them in snapsets and sliding them onto 24g or 22g wire.
The gauge depends on which size fits best under the stone within the snapset, considering the stone's shape, pavilion depth, and snapset style.
For example, smaller round snapsets are easier to work with than larger, square ones because of their construction.
I had a student recently with a beautiful bracelet design who struggled because he used thick 12mm x 14mm rectangular snapsets. He had to file down part of the metal at the prong base to fit 22g square wire.
For round 8mm stones, my students and I have successfully wrapped them bare with 24g square wire or set them in snapsets using 21g or 22g wire.
Again, the wire size depends on what fits through the snapset and under the stone without loosening it.
I also recommend securing snapset stones by wrapping wire completely around the setting just under the girdle, tying it into your design.
Answer contributed by Dale "Cougar" Armstrong
To use very small stones like 2mm and 4mm, I recommend first setting them in snapsets and sliding them onto 24g or 22g wire.
The gauge depends on which size fits best under the stone within the snapset, considering the stone's shape, pavilion depth, and snapset style.
For example, smaller round snapsets are easier to work with than larger, square ones because of their construction.
I had a student recently with a beautiful bracelet design who struggled because he used thick 12mm x 14mm rectangular snapsets. He had to file down part of the metal at the prong base to fit 22g square wire.
For round 8mm stones, my students and I have successfully wrapped them bare with 24g square wire or set them in snapsets using 21g or 22g wire.
Again, the wire size depends on what fits through the snapset and under the stone without loosening it.
I also recommend securing snapset stones by wrapping wire completely around the setting just under the girdle, tying it into your design.
Answer contributed by Dale "Cougar" Armstrong
Materials
Small stones
4mm Gold Filled Round Snapsets for Faceted Gemstone - Pack of 2
J2-1
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $2.97
- Gold Club Price: $2.23
4mm Round Sterling Silver Snapset for Faceted Gemstone - Pack of 2
K2-1
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $1.97
- Gold Club Price: $1.48
6mm Round Sterling Silver Snapset for Faceted Gemstone - Pack of 2
K2-2
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $2.67
- Gold Club Price: $2.00
8mm Round Sterling Silver Snapset for Faceted Gemstone - Pack of 2
K2-3
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $3.57
- Gold Club Price: $2.68
Wire
Tools
Chain Nose Wire Pliers
G2-508
- G2-508
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $32.95
- Gold Club Price: $24.71
Flat Nose Wire Pliers
G2-506
- G2-506
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $32.95
- Gold Club Price: $24.71
Round Nose Wire Pliers
G2-507
- G2-507
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $32.95
- Gold Club Price: $24.71
C.H.P Milano Italian Flush Cutter, 5 1/2 Inches
PLR-487.00
- PLR-487.00
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $16.97
- Gold Club Price: $12.73
Supply Detail
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- Category: General Education
- Technique(s): Wrapping, Design, General Education
Dale Armstrong
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